SVT, the Swedish national broadcaster, has unveiled the Melodifestivalen 2026 stage.
SVT and Sweden are gearing up in full steam for Melodifestivalen 2026 and have unveiled the magnificent stage for the Swedish national selection.
For the first time since 2007 a new team is behind the Melodifestivalen stage, with Fredrik Stormby at the helm as production designer.
Fredrik Stormby has over 25 years of experience in lighting, video and scenography for large live and television productions. He has previously worked with Melodifestivalen and several Eurovision Song Contests , most recently as lighting designer for Eurovision 2024 in Malmö.
Fredrik Stormby (Melodifestivalen 2026 Production Designer) says:
Over the years, Melodifestivalen has offered a number of spectacular stages, but we dare to promise that this year’s design offers completely new experiences and makes a strong impression, of course while maintaining the familiar Melodifestivalen vibe.
Anders Wistabcka (Melodifestivalen Project Manager) says:
The new stage opens up completely new possibilities in the program. When the audience and stage are integrated in this way, a clearer nerve is created that reinforces the feeling of competition for both the audience on site and for the TV viewers.
SVT’s press release reads:
When Melodifestivalen 2026 gets underway, viewers will be greeted by a completely new stage solution, created with the ambition to blur the boundaries between stage and audience. For the first time since 2007, a new team is also behind the stage design, with Fredrik Stormby at the helm as production designer.
This year’s stage and arena layout is designed to be experienced from all sides, including angles that were previously part of the backstage area. The audience will thus become a natural part of the television screen, contributing to a stronger live feeling, where the competition comes closer to both those in the arena and viewers at home on the couch.
One of the new features is the long catwalk that connects the main stage with the audience stage. It creates opportunities for the artists to move right out among the spectators and at the same time becomes a powerful walk for the artists who make it all the way to the final.
SVT’s official press release continues to read:
Although much is new, Melodifestivalen retains many of its familiar building blocks, such as generous LED surfaces with integrated lighting, a large LED floor and a flexible lighting rig that can be shaped to suit each entry. There is also full scope for classic Mello effects such as heavy smoke, fire and pyrotechnics.
As in previous years, the greenroom is located behind the main cameras for maximum audience contact. New this year is that the lighting and video control area is moved to a different part of the arena, allowing for more audience seating and a cleaner TV image without technology in the foreground.
Melodifestivalen 2026
The Swedish national selection will kick off on 31st January in Linkoping with its first semi-final and will conclude on 7th March in Stockholm with the Grand Final. Melodifestivalen 2026 will consist of 6 live televised shows ( 5 semi-finals and 1 grand final):
- 31/01/2026- Melodifestivalen 2026 Semi-final #1- Linkoping
- 07/02/2026- Melodifestivalen 2026 Semi-final #2- Gothenburg
- 14/02/2026- Melodifestivalen 2026 Semi-final #3- Kristiansand
- 21/02/2026- Melodifestivalen 2026 Semi-final #4- Malmo
- 28/02/2026- Melodifestivalen 2026 Semi-final #5- Sundsvall
- 07/02/2026- Melodifestivalen 2026 Grand Final- Stockholm
A total of 30 songs will compete in the Swedish national selection, 6 songs will compete in each of the five semi-finals, a total of 12 songs will compete at the Melodifestivalen 2026 Grand Final for the golden ticket to Austria. The 2026 Swedish Eurovision entry and will be determined via a mixed public televoting/international jury deliberation.
